Key Takeaways:
- The Federal Reserve will host a digital assets conference in October, focusing on stablecoins and tokenization of financial services.
- The event aligns with the GENIUS Act, which mandates regulatory frameworks for payment stablecoins.
- Political tensions rise as Governor Lisa Cook challenges her potential dismissal, prompting warnings over threats to Fed independence.
The U.S. Federal Reserve has announced it will host a conference on October 21 to explore innovations in the payments sector, with a strong focus on stablecoins and tokenization.
The event will highlight emerging use cases and business models for digital assets, reflecting momentum from the recently passed GENIUS Act, which created a framework for payment stablecoins and directed regulators to establish rules.
US FEDERAL RESERVE ANNOUNCES OCT 21 CONFERENCE ON PAYMENTS INNOVATION
— *Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaone) September 3, 2025
FED SAYS CONFERENCE WILL DISCUSS STABLECOINS, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, AND TOKENIZATION OF FINANCIAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Governor Christopher Waller, rather than Chair Jerome Powell, issued remarks emphasizing the Fed’s commitment to improving payment safety and efficiency through technological advancement.
The announcement comes during a period of political tension surrounding the central bank’s independence.
President Donald Trump is seeking to remove Governor Lisa Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud, which she denies.
Cook has refused to resign and filed a lawsuit challenging the dismissal attempt.
In support, about 600 economists signed an open letter stressing that removing a Fed Governor without clear, documented cause would undermine the institution’s independence and inject political risk into monetary policy.
Legal experts note that while the Supreme Court has broadened presidential powers, the Fed’s unique quasi-private status requires a high “for cause” standard for leadership changes.